We loved seeing who was going to be at the next "cheering station"! They were so entertaining and encouraging, and they were out there with us for as long as we were!

What feels really good half way through a marathon? Sticking your feet in a pool of ice water!!! Who'da thunk it?! The sitting down part felt pretty good, too... And that lovely hole in my sock developed around mile 8, but I didn't want to deal with it till later! Brand new pair of socks, fresh that morning! True story!

My favorite part of the walk was going through Sausalito, a cute little town down by the harbour. Very charming and gorgeous views! I found out that this is where Otis Redding sat while he wrote that song, "Sittin' on Dock of the Bay" back in the 70's, or 60's? Can't remember when. But I can see why he was so inspired! And ya just gotta wonder whose big yacht that was with the helicoptor on the back waiting to take off....

The bike police took good care of us all day! They were all there voluntarily, and many had lost family members to breast cancer.

Finally, we were able to actually see the bridge, once the fog lifted! Were able to take some pretty pictures in the afternoon!

And then, the pink arch finish line! Pfhew!

The last few miles was pretty rough! But we had gorgeous views, hot showers (the best shower I've ever had!) foot massagers and yummy food waiting when we were done! And a very windy tent city!

Summer Reading "Program"

"Just one more story!!"

"Read it again! Read it again!"

"Mommy, where's my book?"

"Mommy, are you going to read to us now?"

These are comments and questions that I hear all day long! Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining! Just amazed at how kids are so fascinated with books! Ma-lak especially is loving it. With him, it's like watching a blind person get their sight, for lack of a better explanation. He can't get his hands on enough books, can't read enough, can't listen to enough stories.

At the end of this past school year, his teacher said he was reading at a second grade level, but his comprehension of what he was reading was at K or 1st grade. He would read really fast and well, but not pay much attention to what he was reading or "get" that it was something funny. This summer, I've been having him read to his brother and sisters, and he truly cracks me up! He'll pause for dramatic effect at all the right places, throw his hands up in the air for emphasis, and laugh whenever he reads the silly parts. The others hang onto his every word, and he feels VERY IMPORTANT! :)

Our good friends "Uncle" Alex and "Auntie" Evette recently got them some new books that are now our favorites: Rainbow Fish, Amelia Bedelia (my personal favorites as a kid!) and of course, Dinosaurs and Sharks! And remember Ramona Quimby?? That one is next on my list for the girls, and hopefully I can find Encyclopedia Brown for the boys. If anyone has seen these at Borders or Barnes and Noble or anywhere else, let me know! I'll check Amazon, too!

Happy summer reading!!

Smith Stacks

We always said we wanted very stackable children....

Well, not really, but now that we have stackable children, it's really quite convenient. Imagine the space we save! We down-graded from an SUV to a Mini Cooper (just kidding) and sold half our furniture because we now all fit in one bed (REALLY just kidding!)

But it does make for pretty good times: cheap entertainment, free "massages" for the one on the bottom, and quality practice time for balance and coordination.

For YOUR set of 4 stackable children, call NOW at 1-800-GO4-HIGH!!

Hitchin' a Ride

This is Ya'shar's newest fun thing to do when all of the cars/toys are taken - way to be inventive! (And a little dangerous....)

We had a fun and sorta busy week, getting the house back in one piece and doing mega loads of laundry! Back to work tonight and all weekend, but really looking forward to David coming home on Sunday!

I'm hoping the slideroll video isn't acting up for everybody, it seems to be not working quite right... I'll try to re-post it and see if it works better, but there's no sound!! I have another video to post, too, but I'm having blogger issues! Help!

Anyway, we pray you are all having a great summer and enjoying a special long weekend with your family and friends! Be safe and cherish your independence!

Grand Cayman Family Vacation 2009

How did that week go by so fast? No more blinking!! We had an amazing time, it was so special to have my parents there with us. And that SPF 85 stuff is really something! :)

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